Dodgers add two City Hall types to the staff

The Dodgers announced the signing of two free agents from the political world. Renata Simril, deputy mayor for economic development when James Hahn was in the corner office, will be the team's new senior vice president for external affairs. She comes to the Dodgers from Jones Lang LaSalle, where she was managing director of the public institutions practice. She also was previously a policy deputy for then-City Council member Mark Ridley-Thomas and was an MP in the Army. She's a graduate of Loyola Marymount (B.A. in urban studies) and USC (master’s in real estate development), the Dodgers say. Let the speculation begin on what her hiring means for the future of development on the acreage around Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers also announced that Rafael Gonzalez, who has been on the staff of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, will be director of community relations. Since April 2010 he has been chief service officer in the Office of Neighborhood & Community Services, and director of neighborhood and community services since 2005. Gonzalez is a graduate of Cal State Northridge, the Dodgers say. Both begin their jobs immediately.

Howard Sunkin, the team's former relationship builder with City Hall, left Dodger Stadium with the McCourts.